Sunday, March 17, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Bali, Indonesia

Bali Rice Terraces

Where in the World Are We?

In Bali Island on the East End of Indonesia in the South Pacific Sea.

BENOA, BALI, INDONESIA
A UNIQUE BLEND OF ARTS, DANCE, MUSIC, RITUALS, AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS

Legend has it that Bali, the Island of the Gods, was once one with Java. There lived a great and powerful priest called
Siddhi Mantra. He had a brilliant and gifted son, Manik Angkeran, but when he reached adulthood, he became addicted to cockfighting and gambling. Naturally, he lost all his money and, to continue indulging his vice began stealing his father’s possessions. When Siddhi Mantra realized that his son was stealing from him, he advised him to get away from the world to avoid being tempted again. To no avail…

Despite his immense fortune, Siddhi Mantra soon found himself penniless, but his son continued to beg him for money,
and his “friends” threatened to kill him if he didn’t honor his debts. Desperate, the priest prayed to the gods to show him
how to escape this predicament. A vision told him to go to Mount Agung to meet the mountain dragon, the powerful
Basuki. And so he did.

Arriving at the cave, Siddih Mantra shook his magic bell, and the dragon appeared to him. The priest explained his
situation, and Basuki gave him gold and silver. Once his son’s debts had been repaid, Siddih Mantra urged him not
to play anymore. Alas, Manik Angkeram did not listen to his father’s wise words and allowed himself to be led by the
demon of gambling until he lost everything again and found himself still in debt.

This time, his father and all his friends refused to help him. Manik Angkeram decided to steal his father’s magic bell
and implore the dragon Basuki himself. Which he did. Basuki agreed to help him, warning him it was the last time,
but when Manik saw the dragon’s riches, he decided to kill him, steal them all from him, take out his kriss, and cut
off the dragon’s tail. In anger, the dragon doused him in fire and burnt him to a crisp. But Siddih Mantra, seized by a
premonition, had also gone to Basuki’s cave. When he saw what had become of his boy, he implored the dragon to
resurrect him.

Basuki agreed that Manik Angkeran would stay with him and learn to become a good person. Siddih
Mantra agreed and, on his way home, left his son behind with the dragon Basuki and drew a line in the ground with his
walking stick. This line became a river and then a strait, separating Java from Bali as it still does today.

TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACES
Break away from the bustling city life and visit the lush and serene fields at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Nestled amid the lush green hillocks in Bali’s Ubud region, the fields are uniquely cut out in a terraced layout along the hillsides—a truly visual treat! You can interact with the local farmers to learn more about Balinese culture. An old irrigation system extends water to all parts of the fields evenly. Enjoy mesmerizing panoramic views!

SIGHTS

  • Uluwatu Temple
  • Bali Camel Safari
  • Benoa Fish Market
  • Turtle Islands
  • Devdan Show
  • Bali Wake Park

Today’s Excursion – Ubud On Your Exploration

We experienced the splendid tropical beauty, history, and flavors of Bali at your leisure during this picturesque excursion to Ubud.

Benoa, Scenic Drive, Lush Vegetation, Local Villages, Ubud Town Centre
Depart the pier with your guide for the incredibly scenic, approximately two-hour drive to the center of Ubud Town. We road on countryside roads lined with lush vegetation and through local villages of Sanur, Batubulan, and Batuan en route to Ubud Town. Often referred to as the ‘Cultural Capital’ of Bali, this bustling town in the heart of Bali is surrounded by lush river valleys and rice paddy fields. In addition to its unique, larger-than-life culture and style, Ubud Town is renowned for its handicrafts, verdant, green, tropical jungles, rice fields, Hindu temples, vibrant arts and crafts scene, and a diverse food scene offering some of the best restaurants and finest cuisine on Bali.

Puri Lukisan Museum, Self-Guided Walking Tour, Ubud Royal Palace, Architecture, Countryside
We arrived at the center of Ubud Town and were dropped off at the Puri Lukisan Museum. We walked to the Puri Saren Agung (Ubud Royal Palace), one of the most iconic landmarks in town. Located opposite and a short stroll from the Ubud Art Market, the Ubud Royal Palace is a great place for a quick glimpse into the royal family’s former daily life and Balinese culture and wonderful photo opportunities of the intricate architecture and lovely countryside. For the Royal Family’s privacy, only a tiny portion of the Ubud Royal Palace, up until the middle courtyard, is open for public viewing; entrance to the inner courtyard of the Royal Palace is prohibited. Nearby is the Ubud Art Market. The most famous market in Bali, it is a great place to browse for locally made
Balinese items that are unique and unavailable elsewhere.

Ubud Art Market, Scarves, Handmade Woven Bags, Baskets & Hats, Handicrafts,
We browsed beautiful scarves, handmade woven bags, baskets, hats, and other hand-crafted goods. Bargaining is expected
here, and everyone does, as there are no fixed prices.

Saraswati Temple, Beautiful Architecture & Setting, Tranquil Pond, Lotus Flowers
Ubud is also home to ancient temples, and a visit to the Saraswati Temple is recommended. Located near the Puri Lukisan
Museum and amongst the most popular destinations in Ubud, historic Saraswati boasts beautifully intricate architecture and is
revered for its exquisite setting. Perhaps the most striking feature of this temple is the tranquil pond filled with hundreds of
blooming lotus flowers.

We dined at The Restaurant and enjoyed a delicious St. Patrick’s Day Dinner in our St. Paddy’s outfits!

Whether you’re Irish or not, all celebrated the luck of the Irish and all things green!

TONIGHT’S SHOW – A NIGHT IN DUBLIN

Our Silversea Singers and Dancers transported us to ‘O’Shadow’s Irish Pub’ for a special St Patrick’s Day celebration along with the Silver Shadow Trio. We sang and danced with the entertainment team and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style.

Check out today’s Chronicle.

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